Family Faces Immigration Struggles Amid Allegations of Brutality

Family Faces Immigration Struggles Amid Allegations of Brutality

As a U.S. Marine combat veteran, Adrian Clouatre would have been angry enough if the issue had affected only brothers-in-arms. His wife, Paola Clouatre, was picked up by ICE agents while getting her green card at her home in late May. The situation raises important issues about the continued rise of family separation and other inhumane immigration policies and practices here in the U.S.

Paola Clouatre, who has been in the process of applying for legal permanent residence, was taken into custody despite having two young children: a two-year-old son and a three-month-old daughter who is still breastfeeding. This change begs fundamental questions about what we owe to people inside our immigration system, especially those with family ties and duties.

Over ten years ago, Paola Clouatre’s mother carried her to the U.S. in her asylum-seeking hands. Things got complicated when her mom failed to show up to her 2018 immigration hearing. This led to a removal order being issued for Paola. Adrian Clouatre — to whom this order has, as one of its many unintended consequences, thrown his family’s future into jeopardy.

Things took a turn for the worse when cops arrested 56-year-old Narciso Barranco. He was just working at his local International House of Pancakes (IHop) restaurant in Santa Ana, California when the incident occurred. Video footage that CNN has viewed includes video showing a group of masked men wearing tactical gear. They are later shown pinning Barranco to the ground while punching his head and neck. Barranco, who came to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s without documentation, has not been in criminal trouble before.

Alejandro Barranco, Narciso’s son and a U.S. Marine veteran, described his father’s character and values. He told a story about how his father always put food on the table. Along with that firm discipline, he taught them an intense admiration—and indeed, almost worship—for their country. For us, Alejandro’s military service is a commitment to our nation that he feels is being betrayed today.

“He always made sure we had food on the table. He always taught us to respect, to love our country, to always give back.” – Alejandro Barranco

Like so many other immigrants, Narciso Barranco worked as hard as he could to care for his family. He overcame his father’s concerns about being arrested due to their undocumented immigration status. Shortly after his arrest, he was able to call Alejandro from a detention center. So he requested him to collect his landscaping tools and complete the project he was working on when he got arrested.

ICE agents should have had professional courtesy, Alejandro Barranco said, in how they arrested my dad. New MHPAEA coordinator Thomas D. to the House Appropriations Committee, he called it “uncalled for” and “not appropriate or professional.” unarmed and complying with police orders He emphasized that his father’s responses in the course of the encounter were human reactions to provocation.

“It’s uncalled for, not appropriate or professional in the way they handled that situation.” – Alejandro Barranco

The narrative surrounding these detentions contradicts claims made by the Trump administration regarding prioritizing the targeting of dangerous criminals in immigration enforcement. The tragic cases of Narciso Barranco and Paola Clouatre remind us that this is not an abstract issue. Families are being ripped asunder by new, draconian immigration policies.

Alejandro Barranco expressed in a press conference the emotional impact this ordeal has had on him and his family. He expressed feelings of hurt and betrayal, emphasizing their dedication to serving the country through military service.

“We joined the Marine Corps because we love our country and want to give back. It’s hard. We feel hurt. We feel betrayed.” – Alejandro Barranco

As these stories play out, demonstrating the very real human consequences of immigration enforcement and policy. Secondly, they underscore the intricacies involved in the legal status labyrinth that is the United States. Real families such as the Clouatres and Barrancos are at their wits end. It’s past time to reconsider our practices of immigration enforcement and its detrimental effects on citizens and non-citizens alike.

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